Piano action



Feb. 3, 1942. w, s, FlNHOLM 2,271,633

PIANO ACTION Filed June 21, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 r I 40 M MAL/AM .5? fi/v/e aA/w INVENTOR.

8 52 6- ATTORNEYS.

Patented F eb. 3, 1942 UNlTED snares PATENT OFFICE PIANO ACTION WVilliam S. Finholm, New York, N. Y.

Application June 21, 1939, Serial No. 280,247

13 Claims.

This invention relates to piano actions and more specifically it pertains to that portion of a piano action commonly known in the art as the repetition.

It is the object of the present invention to im prove the construction and principle of operation of piano repetitions, and so to construct such mechanisms that the mechanical results, as well as the satisfaction of operation, are greatly enhanced over any possible attainment by repetition mechanisms as they are generally constructed.

A feature of the invention resides in a novel construction whereby the periodicity of a complete note striking operation is materially reduced over that of repetition mechanisms as generally constructed, thereby providing a greater rapidity of action than is possible with the so-called standard repetition.

A further feature of the invention resides in a novel construction whereby a novel balancing of the repetition is obtained without the use of balancing leads in the striking keys of the action with the result that the touch thereof is materially lighter than in repetitions as generally constructed. This is a highly important feature of the invention since it not only makes for greater satisfaction in theoperation of the repetition, but permits of a novel arrangement of parts which will be hereinafter described, whereby the periodicity of a complete note striking operation may be reduced to a minimum.

Still a further feature of the invention resides in a novel construction whereby the use of relatively hard knuckles may be employed without undue noise of operation. This also I regard as an important feature since hard knuckles permit of imparting greater power or force to the hammer than is possible where relatively soft knuckles are employed.

Still a further feature of the invention resides in a novel construction whereby the return of the fiy from its tripped position, to position beneath the hammer to effect a new operation of the hammer. is accomplished at a low position of the striking key or in other words, at a time before the key has returned to its normal position of rest. This also I consider an important feature since it does not require that the striking key return completely to its normal position of rest before a succeeding note striking operation can be started.

Other features of the invention'relates to certain l'lOvel improved constructions, arrangements and combinations of parts hereinafter described and particularly pointed out in the claims,

sidered in connection with the the advantages of which will be readily understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art.

The invention will be clearly understood from the following specification and claims when conaccompanying drawings, wherein,

Figure l is a top plan view of a portion of a complete grand action embodying repetition mechanisms constructed in accordance with the present invention,

Figure 2 is a detail sectional view taken substantially on the line 2-2 of Figure 1, the View illustrating in elevation, a complete repetition mechanism and its striking key,

Figure 3 is a fragmentary transverse sectional view on an enlarged scale illustrating the parts in their respective positions with the hammer poised between the backcheck and the string, and just prior to engagement of the string by the hammer,

Figure 4 is a transverse sectional view illustrating three positions of the hammer, one position illustrating the hammer in full lines at rest upon the hammer rail, a dotted line position illustrating the hammer at the time of striking the string and a full line position illustrating the hammer at rest upon the backcheck,

Figure 5 is a detail sectional view partly broken away illustrating the several parts of the repetition in their normal position of rest, and;

Figure 6 is a detail sectional view illustrating a slightly modified form of the invention.

In the drawings, the key frame is designated H1 and it carries the balance rail I I, key rest l2, front pin I3 and key balancing and adjusting pin M. The key is designated I 51 The key carries a capstan screw it which serves to support and operate the fly lever or whippen H which is pivotally mounted at It! in a bracket l9, which in turn, is carried rigidly by a supporting bar or rail 29 suitably mounted in the action frame 2| In so far as the mechanism has been described, it is of more or less the conventional construction employed in so-called grand piano actions.

The free end of the whippen l l is bifurcated or cut out as at 22 and the fly or jack 24 is pivotally mounted therein as at 23. The fly has a tail piece 25 which extends therefrom and which during operation of the mechanism, engages the fly regulating button 22' to effect escapement of the fly with respect to the knuckle of the hammer shank.

The hammer is designated 21, its shank being designated 28. The free end of the hammer shank is bifurcated as at 29 to receive the hammer shank flange 30 to which the hammer is pivotally connected as at 3|. The space between the furcations of the bifurcated end of the hammer shank is larger than is necessary for the mere pivotal mounting of the hammer and the purpose of this construction will hereinafter appear.

The knuckle 32 is mounted upon the under face of the hammer shank and is provided with a fly stop 33 and knuckle leather 34. The upper end of the fly is preferably reduced as at 42 and the free end of this reduced portion 4|! engages the knuckle leather 34 to throw the hammer about its pivotal point upon operation of the key I5, in a manner to be hereinafter described.

Carried by the fly and extending upwardly from the tail piece 25 thereof from a point adjacent its pivotal point 23 there is a resilient element 42. The resilient element 42, preferably is in the form of a length of spring wire and preferably has a slightly off-set portion 43 terminating in a loop 44 upon its upper end. The resilient element is suitably anchored in the tail piece of the fly as at 45 and is of such length that its upper end portions will extend through the space 29 between the fureations of the free end of the hammer shank 28 with the loop 44 of the resilient element slightly above the said hammer shank as illustrated in Figure 5.

There is a flexible connection between the hammer shank and the upper end of the resilient element 42 and in the present embodiment of the invention, this connection consists of a length of cord 46, the intermediate portion of which lies in the looped end 44 of the resilient element, the free ends of the cord being suitably anchored as at 41 in the hammer shank knuckle 32.

Means is provided to regulate the resilient action of the resilient element 42 and in the present embodiment of the invention, this means comprises a regulating screw or bolt which passes through the fly into engagement with the resilient element as best illustrated in Figure 5 and it will be apparent that regulation of the tension of the resilient element may be obtained merely by adjustment of the screw or bolt 50.

In the drawings the reference numeral 5| designates a bar which extends throughout the length of the action at a point beneath the several hammer shanks. The bar performs two functions which will now be described. First, this bar provides a stop for the hammers as they fall to their normal position of rest after a note striking operation, the hammer shanks striking the felt cushion 52 of the bar from which they rebound to a position of rest where they are slightly spaced with relation to the bar as illustrated in Figure 2, the space between the hammer shank and bar being designated A in said figure. Second, the bar 5|, being carried by arms 53 which in turn are operably connected to a shaft 54 may, upon rocking of said shaft, by a foot pedal or other suitable means not shown, be elevated to lift the hammers to a position of rest more closely adjacent the strings than when they are in their normal position of rest. When the hammers are in the raised position mentioned, their stroke to string engaging position is shortened with the consequence that their impact with the string is reduced and a modified tone known as pianissimo is in this manner obtained.

This second feature I consider important since it does not change the relation between the hammer and the strings but instead permits the same portion of the hammer head to engage all of the strings for all notes which is not true of grand actions as generally constructed wherein the ac tion is shifted laterally with respect to the strings so to position the hammers that they engage but two instead of three of the note strings. Where the striking stroke of the hammers is shortened I find that a better tonal quality is obtained than is possible where the hammers are shifted to a point to engage only a portion of the total number of note strings. This enhanced result I attribute to the fact that in the repetition herein set forth, the relation between the contact surfaces of the hammer head and the note strings is never changed or varied and therefore, the string grooves, which develop in the hammer head from constant use, at all time register properly with the note strings. Furthermore, it will be noted that this elevation of the hammers to produce the pianissimo tone is effected with out disturbing the position of the keys since the hammer may be rocked about its pivotal point without movement of the whippen about its pivotal point.

The several parts are so constructed that in the complete assembly, the pivotal point 23 of the fly or jack 24 is preferably slightly higher than the pivotal point l8 of the whippen I"! and this construction together with its relation to the resilient element 42 makes for a more completely balanced mechanism than is possible in such devices as commonly constructed, as will now be explained.

In piano actions of this type as generally constructed, the entire weight of the repetition mechanism is carried by the capstan screw when the parts are in their normal position of rest. In the repetition herein set forth, however, a portion of the weight of the repetition mechanism is yieldingly carried by the resilient element 42 with the result that the weight imposed upon the capstan screw I6 is materially lessened as compared to repetition as generally constructed as will now be explained.

With the parts in their normal position of rest, the hammer shank 28 is spaced with respect to the bar 5| as heretofore explained. The hammer is supported in this spaced relation with the bar 5| b the cord 46, which is of the proper length to how the resilient element 42 and plan it under sufficient tension to support the hammer in said position. This tension may be determined or varied by adjustment of the screw 5B which provides the proper regulation to meet the various size hammers occurring in different sections of a complete action. By this construction and arrangement of parts, it will be noted that because of the weight of the hammer being suspended from the resilient element 42, two forces are exerted upon said resilient element. First, there is a pull downwardly with respect to the loop 44 thereof, and second, to the right in Figures 2 and 5. These two forces combined, tend to rock the fly or jack to the right in Figures 2 and 5, tending to lift the tail piece and the whippen ll about its pivotal point l8. Therefore, there is a force exerted by the resilient element 42 because of its interposed relation between the hammer and the whippen which counteracts, a portion at least, of the weight of the entire repetition mechanism thus relieving the capstan screw of a portion of said total weight.

I will now describe the manner in which the repetition operates.

With the parts in the position of rest shown in Figure 2, depression of the front end of the key I5 elevates the rear end of the key l5 and through the medium of the capstan screw, the whippen I1 is rocked about its pivotal point I8. This action elevates the forward end of the whippen l1 elevating the fly or jack 24 and moves the entire whippen and jack in an are designated by the reference character B in Figure 5. It will be noted, by reference to Figure 5, that there is a direct action of the jack or fly upon the hammer knuckle leather 34 and there is therefore no sliding movement between the upper end of the jack and the hammer knuckle during the lifting movement of the jack. This is important since it eliminates friction present at this point in repetitions as generally constructed. It is also to be noted that the angle of the fly or jack 24 with relation to the hammer shank knuckle 32 is such that as the jack moves in the are designated by the line B the lifting force is applied to the hammer shank in a direct or straight line, the variations of which is infinitesimal during a note striking operation. This is an important feature for the reason that the striking force is imparted directly to the hammer shank without lost motion to give increased force to the impact of the hammer upon the string or what is commonly known in the art as power of action in which I have found repetitions as generally constructed, lacking.

As the fly or jack begins to lift the hammer in the manner heretofore described the upper end of the resilient element 42 moves rearwardly or to the right in Figure 5 through an are designated by the line C and upwardly through an arc designated by the line D in said figure and the result of this is that the tension of the resilient element is gradually spent as its upper end moves through said arcs. As the movement of the hammer towards the string continues the parts reach the position shown in Figure 3, in which the tension of the resilient element has been completely spent and the cord 46 is slack in the loop 44 of the resilient element. This position of the parts results at a point just prior to the contact of the hammer with the string, leaving the hammer free to move under the force imparted by the striking key, into engagement with the string to produce the note. Substantially at this point the tail piece of the fly or jack has engaged the fly or jack regulating button 22. This rocks the fly or jack 24 about its pivotal point 23 causing it to kick from beneath the hammer shank knuckle 32 andpermit thehammer to return either to position in engagement with the backcheck or into engagement with the bar 5 i. As the fly or jack is kicked from beneath the hammer shank knuckle to rock about its pivotal point 23 and since the resilient element 42 is carried by the fly or jack, its upper end moves through an are designated by the line E in Figure 5 to take up the slack in the cord 46. This movement of the upper end of the resilient element takes place during the kick off action of the fly or jack and during the time that the hammer passes from the position in which it is shown in Figure 3 into engagement with the string in which position it is shown in dash lines in Figure 4, the upper end of the resilient element being shown in dash lines in approximately its other extreme position in the are designated by the line E. By reference to Figure 2, it will be noted that the pull of the cord 66 with the parts in the position of' rest is in a direction more nearly at right angles to the resilient element 42 than is the case when the parts are in the string engaging position of the hammer, since in this latter position of the parts, the pull is more vertical due to the elevation of the hammer and the rearward movement of the upper looped end of the resilient element. When this action takes place the resilient element 42 is again placed under tension which tends to rock the fly or jack rearwardly or to the right in the drawings to position beneath the hammer shank knuckle in which position the fly or jack takes a portion of the weight of the hammer, the remainder being carried by the resilient element $2. This construction and operation of the parts produces a more rapid return of the fly or jack to position beneath the hammer shank knuckle and makes for a more rapid return of the parts to their normal position of rest and naturally reduces the periodicity of a complete note striking operation. Another important result obtained is that the tension produced in the resilient element as a result of its movement through the are E to a position where it takes up the slack of the cord 46 and supports the weight of the hammer, is transmitted to the fly or jack to return it to the hammer shank knuckle immediately the tail piece leaves the fly or jack regulating button 22' and I have found in actual practice that the fly or jack positions itself beneath the hammer shank knuckle and positions all of the parts for a subsequent note striking operation at what I will term a low position of the key or in other words at a time before the key returns to its normal position of rest.

The foregoing points out the manner in which an increased speed of action is obtained and I will now describe how said mechanism functions to lighten the touch.

By reason of the fact that when the several parts are in their positions of rest, the resilient element 42 is bowed and is therefore placed under tension, there is present in the mechanism a force towards the right in Figure 5 for example, which force, because of the fact that the pivotal point 23 of the jack or fly is located in a higher horizontal plane than is the pivotal point l8 of the whippen, tends to lift the whippen about its pivotal point l8 and thereby relieve the capstan screw and key of a portion of the weight of the repetition mechanism by transferring it to the pivotal point it? of the whippen.

This balancing as I term it, of the repetition 1 permits of the total elimination of balancing leads in the forward end of th key which are found necessary in actions as generally constructed, to lighten the touch.

Elimination of these balancing leads is not only an economical feature in the manufacture of the present action, but has another advantage, namely, absence of these leads permits the key to return more rapidly to its normal position than is possible when leads are employed and thus makes for more rapid repetition.

In Figure 6 I have illustrated a slightly modified form of the invention in which means is provided whereby a relation between the upper end of the fly or jack and the hammer knuckle may be varied.

In the construction illustrated in said Figure 6 there is an adjustable step Bil threaded through an extension 6! of the hammer knuckle in such a manner as to have engagement with the reduced portion MB of the fly or jack 24. Obviously by adjustment of the threaded stop, the relation between the upper end of the fiy or jack and the hammer knuckle leather may be varied as adjustment may be desired.

In this form of the invention, the stop Bil is adjusted to the desired position, after which the resilient element 42 is placed under proper tension to effect the balancing of the mechanism by operation of the bolt or screw 50 as heretofore described.

From the foregoing it will be readily apparent that the present invention provides a new and novel repetition mechanism as well as a new and novel method or theory of operation of piano repetitions mechanisms. Furthermore, by comparison with grand action repetitions as generally constructed, it will become obvious that the present invention greatly reduces the number of parts and the labor of assembling them thereby materially reducing the cost of manufacture of piano repetition mechanisms.

While I have herein illustrated the invention in its preferred forms, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the specific constructions herein illustrated, but may be embodied in other forms without departing from the spirit thereof.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new, is:

1. In a piano action in combination, a striking key, a hammer, a repetition mechanism, means for supporting the repetition mechanism in a position of rest upon the striking key, and means operatively connected to the repetition mechanism and the hammer for exerting a lifting force upon the whippen of the repetition mechanism when the repetition mechanism is in said position of rest, partially to relieve the weight of the repetition mechanism upon the striking key.

2. A piano repetition mechanism including in combination, a pivotally mounted whippen, a fly or jack carried by the whippen, a hammer, and means operably connected to the whippen and to said hammer for transmitting a portion of the weight of the hammer to the whippen in a direction tending to rock the whippen in an upward direction about its pivotal point when the repetition mechanism is in a position of rest.

3. In a piano action in combination, a striking key, a repetition mechanism including a pivoted whippen, a pivoted hammer and a fly or jack pivotally mounted upon the whippen for opera ing the hammer, means for supporting the repetition mechanism upon the striking key when the several parts are in their position of rest and resilient means carried by the fly or jack and operably connected to the hammer in a manner to place the resilient means under tension during the return of the parts to their position of rest after a note striking operation, the tension in said resilient mean exerting a lifting force upon the whippen when the parts are in their position of rest, partially to relieve the weight of the repetition mechanism upon the striking key.

4. A piano repetition mechanism comprising in combination, a pivotally mounted whippen, a fly or jack pivotally mounted in said whippen, a tail piece extending from said fly or jack, a pivotally mounted hammer, a resilient member connected to and extending from the tail piece of the fly or jack to a point above the hammer and means for connecting the hammer to the upper end of the resilient member for throwing a portion of the weight of the hammer onto the resilient member, partially to support the hammer when the parts are in a position of rest.

5. A piano repetition mechanism comprising in combination, a pivotally mounted whippen, a fly or jack pivotally mounted in said whippen, a tail piece extending from said fly or jack, a pivotally mounted hammer, a resilient member connected to and extending from the tail piece of the fly or jack to a point above the hammer, means for connecting the hammer to the upper end of the resilient member for throwing a portion of the weight of the hammer onto the resilient member, partially to support the hammer when the parts are in a position of rest, and means for adjusting the tension of said resilient member.

6. A piano repetition mechanism comprising in combination, a pivotally mounted whippen, a fly or jack pivotally mounted in said whippen, a pivotally mounted hammer, and a resilient element rigidly carried by said fly or jack and extending to a point beyond the hammer, and means connected to the hammer and connected to the free end of the resilient element whereby a portion of the weight of the hammer is transmitted to the resilient element when the parts assume their normal position of rest.

7. A piano repetition mechanism comprising in combination, a pivotally mounted whippen, a fly or jack pivotally mounted in said whippen, a pivotally mounted hammer, and a resilient element rigidly carried by said fly or jack and extending to a point beyond the hammer, means connected to the hammer and connected to the free end of the resilient element whereby a portion of the weight of the hammer is transmitted to the resilient element when the parts assume their normal position of rest, and means independent of the hammer for adjusting the tension of said resilient element.

8. A piano repetition mechanism comprising in combination, a pivotally mounted whippen, a fly or jack pivotally mounted in said whippen, a pivotally mounted hammer, and a resilient element rigidly carried by said fly or jack and extending to a point beyond the hammer, means connected to the hammer and connected to the free end of the resilient element whereby a portion of the weight of the hammer is transmitted to the resilient element when the parts assume their normal position of rest, and means carried by the fly or jack and movable into engagement with the resilient element for adjusting the tension thereof.

9. In a piano repetition mechanism in combination, a pivoted whippen, a fly or jack carried thereby, a hammer, a resilient element carried by the fly or jack, and means connecting the hammer and said resilient element whereby the resilient element will be placed under tension by movment of the hammer from its string striking position to its position of rest to effect engagement of the fly or jack with the hammer immediately the hammer starts its return to its position of rest from its string engaging position.

10. In a piano action in combination, a striking key, a note string, and a repetition mechanism, said repetition mechanism including a pivoted whippen, a pivoted hammer, a fly or jack carried by said whippen and adapted to move the hammer into engagement with the note string upon operation of the striking key, and partially support the hammer when th parts are in their normal position of rest, a resilient element carried by the fly or jack, and means connecting the hammer and said resilient element whereby the resilient element will be placed under tension by movement of the hammer from its string striking position to its normal position of rest to effect engagement of the fly or jack with the hammer immediately the hammer starts its return to its position of rest and before the striking key has reached its position of rest.

11. In a piano action in combination, a striking key, a note string, and a repetition mechanism, said repetition mechanism including a pivoted whippen, a pivoted hammer, a fly or jack carried by said whippen and adapted to move the hammer into engagement with the note string upon operation of the striking key, and partially support the hammer when the parts are in their normal position of rest, a resilient element carried by the fly or jack, and means connecting the hammer and said resilient element whereby the resilient element will be placed under tension by movement of the hammer from its string striking position to its normal position of rest to effect engagement of the fly or jack with the hammer immediately the hammer starts its return to its position of rest and before the striking key has reached its position of rest, said last mentioned means also serving to retain the resilient element under tension when the parts are in their normal positions of rest.

12. In a piano action in combination, a striking key, a note string, and a repetition mechanism, said repetition mechanism including a pivoted whippen, a pivoted hammer, a fly or jack carried by said whippen and adapted to move the hammer into engagement with the note string upon operation of the striking key, and partially support the hammer when the parts are in their normal position of rest, a resilient element carried by the fly or jack, and means connecting the hammer and said resilient element whereby the resilient element will be placed under tension by movement of the hammer from its string striking position to its normal position of rest to effect engagement of the fly or jack with the hammer immediately the hammer starts its return to its position of rest and before the strik ing key has reached its position of rest, said last mentioned means also serving to suspend the hammer in a position intermediate its position of rest and its string engaging position when the striking key is prevented returning to its position of rest.

13. In a piano action in combination, a striking key, a note string, and a repetition mechanism, said repetition mechanism including a pivoted whippen, a pivoted hammer, a fly or jack carried by said whippen and adapted to move the hammer into engagement with the note string upon operation of the striking key, and partially support the hammer when the parts are in their normal position of rest, a resilient element carried by the fly or jack, and means connecting the hammer and said resilient element whereby the resilient element will be placed under tension by movement of the hammer from its string striking position to its normal position of rest to eiTect engagement of the fly or jack with the hammer immediately the hammer starts its return to its position of rest and before the striking key has reached its position of rest, said last mentioned means also serving to suspend the hammer from the resilient element in a position intermediate its position of rest and its string engaging position when the striking key is prevented returning to its position of rest.

WILLIAM S. FINHOLM. 

